Whatever and Wherever

O. T. #440  "Whatever and Wherever"
January 15, 2015
Joshua 1-Part 5
And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go.  Joshua 1:16

LET IT GLOW

Are we ready to do whatever God wants us to do? Are we willing to go wherever He sends us? If we love God, we will.

Only be strong and of good courage. How many times have we heard those words in our lifetime? Uh, none. How many times have I said them to someone who needed encouragement? Uh, none. Well, Moses said them back in Deuteronomy 31:6 to Israel and in verses 7 and 23 to Joshua.
Did the Lord tell Joshua three times previously in this chapter, in verses 6, 7, and 9, to be strong and of good courage? Yes He did. And who better to hear it from than God?

Joshua hears it again. Look at verse 18, the last part. Representatives of the three tribes mentioned in verse 12 said those words to Joshua. This must have been a confirmation of God's Word to Joshua previously. Does God love to confirm His Word to us? Seems so.

This bold courage would not be in Joshua himself, but in God. Self-confidence can take us to ruin. (Guzik)

Friend, do you need strength to meet the day? Do you need courage to make that decision you have been putting off? Your answer is in the Lord Jesus.

Hopefully these scriptures will encourage you.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. Prov. 18:10

Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.  Ps. 24:8

In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us.
Ps. 61:7-8

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Eph. 6:10
Other verses: Ps. 31:2; 2Chron. 13:9; Luke 1:80.

1 John 5:4-5 says, For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 

The man, Booker T. Washington, was a man who overcame many difficulties. For interesting and encouraging reading, research his life. He was quoted saying, "a measure of a man's success is not what he achieves, but what he overcomes."

Be an overcomer, ya'll.

LET IT GROW

Our key verse tells us that Israel was willing to do whatever and go wherever Joshua said. They were trusting that God was leading Joshua. Can you imagine the encouragement and enthusiasm of Joshua after he heard all of this?

Israel's unity as a nation was essential in fulfilling God's calling and promise for them. The willingness of the people to receive Joshua as their leader was heard. (Guzik)

Are we willing to submit to Jesus whatever and wherever?  Will we do whatever He calls us to do? Are we willing to go wherever He sends us?

LET IT GO

Be strong and of good courage.

Be an overcomer.

Whatever and wherever, Lord.